A Guide to Fishing Vocabulary in the NWT
If you’re planning your fishing trip in the Northwest Territories for the upcoming season, you’re well on your way to discovering why the NWT is at the top of the list for many avid anglers and fly fishing enthusiasts. The Northwest Territories has a reputation for having some of the most remarkable fishing in the world. Deep lakes, crystal clear waters, and long summer days attract people from all around the world, many of whom make the trip an annual tradition.
Over time, fishing folk in the NWT have developed lingo and slang as unique as the landscape itself. If you want to sound like a true Northern angler, or at least keep pace with the play-by-play of your fellow fishers, here’s a quick guide on some of the NWT’s most popular fishing vocabulary:
Coney: Short for Inconnu. This silvery freshwater fish is closely related to the Whitefish, but can grow to be much, much larger. These giants are a prized catch in the NWT, and the star of many suspenseful fishing tales. You’ll definitely feel like telling everyone you meet if you’ve just come back from reeling in a Coney.
Jack: Not to be confused with jack meaning “nothing” – as in “We cast all day and still came home with jack”. Jack in the NWT is short for Jackfish, which is a colloquial term for our monstrous northern pike—the feisty, sharp-toothed fighter found across the NWT, often in shallow waters. They’re big, they’re mean and they’re not picky eaters, so if you cast a line in just about any body of water up here, you will go home with Jack in the best way.
Jigging: This can mean two things. When you drop a lure into the water and jiggle and wriggle it up and down to attract a fish, that’s jigging. Jigging is also a lively and festive dance, where feet quickly fly forward and back and up and down. Both are considered art forms in the NWT—you’ll understand why when you see a real pro in action. And who knows, you might even celebrate a successful jig with a jig.
Jumbo: Just like what it sounds — this term is used in many NWT communities to describe an exceptionally large fish. Fishing has always been a part of life in the communities around the NWT. With so many waterways connecting spectacular lakes and sprawling rivers, nearly everyone has a fishing story or two about their first jumbo catch from the waters of the NWT. Head back into town after an absolutely bountiful fishing day trip and find good company to celebrate with – you just caught a jumbo!
Loche: This is what many folks in the NWT call a Burbot. It’s a fish with a face that only its mother could love, but burbot are the world’s only freshwater Cod and they make for good eating. You can find this fish on the menu at Yellowknife’s famed Bullock’s Bistro under Great Slave Cod.
Lunker: Essentially, a really large fish. Think a monster lake trout in Great Bear Lake or a line-busting northern pike in Great Slave Lake. You’re probably catching on that there are a lot of ways to describe big fish in the NWT – another hint that big fish is what we are famous for! When you’re spinning your spectacular story to the gathered crowd at an all-inclusive fishing lodge, you’ll find yourself grasping for the words to truly convey how big your catch was. Drop the word “lunker” with the same full-armed weight as the catch itself and you’ll understand why we have so many terms.
Pickerel: You might call them Walleye where you’re from — and technically you’d be correct — but in the NWT, we’ve long called this large, spiked dorsal-finned fish from the perch family Pickerel. (You may also hear walleye referred to as “dinner.”)
Sled: A snow machine or snowmobile — it’s probably how you got out to your ice fishing spot.
Take it easy: How to respond to people you think might be exaggerating the size of their trophy catch. Although be careful when you say it, as someone may just call your bluff – the NWT is known for producing some gargantuan lake trout and absolutely monstrous pike. What sounds like a tall tale may actually just be a true account of coming face-to-face with one of these colossal lake denizens.
And there are also “fartknockers,” which anglers aren’t keen to boast about. Popularized in the NWT by the Yellowknifer newspaper’s Fishin’ Technician, this term describes the small, run-of-the-mill northern pike you aren’t exactly excited about catching.
Keen to make the catch of a lifetime? From the Arctic Ocean to a Barrenland brook, your fishing trip in the Northwest Territories will reward you with colossal fish, record-number catches, and an unbelievable story. Read more here to get the “who’s who” of fish species in the Northwest Territories.
It’s no exaggeration to say the Northwest Territories has endless opportunities for the best Northern and Arctic fishing in Canada. Be prepared to break a few personal records.
Related Stories
Intriguing tales from Canada's Northwest Territories
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
What began as a “part time fishing lodge” has now become a “full time Aurora Wilderness Lodge” open year round......
Book an adventure with us at Trail Blazer Tours for an unforgettable experience! Your adventure with us will create lasting......
Your Dene Connection in Yellowknife. B. Dene Adventures is a Traditional Dene Culture Camp business which teaches the Dene way......
We are the Łı́ı́dlı̨́ı̨́ Kų́ę́ got’ine. People of the community of Łı́ı́dlı̨́ı̨́ Kų́ę́, “the place where rivers come together”, in......
Tundra North Travel is an Inuit company based in Inuvik, Northwest Territories that was established with the dream of being......
Red Cliff Adventures has a traditional camp that is located in Lutsel K’e, on the shores of the East Arm,......
Enodah Wilderness Travel / Trout Rock Lodge/ Enodah Kennel offer high-quality Aurora viewing experiences by night and dogsled tours by......
With over 30 years of living in Yellowknife, we offer a variety of tourism experiences for our guests. We are......
Hearne Lake Lodge is a remote fly-in fishing lodge only 20-minute floatplane ride east of Yellowknife. To serve you better,......
Arctic Adventure & Wildlife viewing on the edge of the tree line of Canada’s Northwest Territories. Lynx Lake 400 km......
Creating Memories for a Lifetime Nonacho Lake Fishing Adventures offers trophy lake trout and northern pike fishing. Wildlife abounds at......
The all new Namushka Lodge! Come enjoy all the new amenities of a fly-in fishing lodge! Located on Harding Lake, 32......
Destination NWT Limited is a tourism operator located in Yellowknife, Canada. DNWT specializes in outdoors adventures, aurora photography, and cultural experiences: Best rated Snowmobile Tour, winter gears included, exciting trail riding Aurora Tour in a Luxurious lakeside Lodge Unique Aurora tour while Ice Fishing indoors Full panoramic moonroof vehicle for Aurora Viewing DNWT’s tours allow […]...
With us, you will find a unique Northern fishing experience with no distractions. Our amenities include Starlink Wi-Fi, standard queen-sized......
DISCOVER A MOMENT THAT LASTS A LIFETIME. Aylmer Lake Lodge is located in Rocknest Bay, which is on the Barren......
Fly-in fishing lodge located 150 air miles (240 kms) south of Yellowknife. Full American Plan or unguided....
For a Great Northern Experience! Yellowknife Outdoor Adventures offers a variety of day trips ranging from 2 to 10 hours......
Comfortable lodge a 20 minute by floatplane ride from Yellowknife. Guided fishing for Lake Trout (to 34 lb), Arctic Grayling (to......
With Bluefish Outfitting you’ll get an unforgettable trip of a lifetime. Bluefish Outfitting offers personalized, guided fishing trips and boat tours on......
We are an Inuvialuit owned and operated family business, run by locals Enoch and Amanda Pokiak, based in Inuvik in the Western......
100% Indigenous owned! We are the world’s first Aurora Hunting tour company, we know Aurora. Learn about Aurora, why Yellowknife is the......
Yellowknife Sportfishing Adventures is a professional fishing charter company with a professional NWT fishing guide looking to help you catch......
Remote private wilderness paradise on Little Doctor Lake, 100 km west of Fort Simpson. Accommodates 20 in cabins. Fishing, swimming,......
Great Slave Lake Tours offers winter and summer trips on Great Slave Lake, the ninth biggest lake in the world......
Come experience world-class Aurora Borealis viewing in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada. We are the only guides in the Northwest Territories......
Fish for Lake Trout, Arctic Grayling and Northern Pike at the remote untouched East Arm of Great Slave Lake, one......
World Class Fishing Within Reach Yet Beyond Belief For 3 generations we have been honing the Kasba experience to be like no-other. Our level of hospitality, dedication to the fishery, and a legendary passion for the experience that permeates through our entire team is undeniably contagious. No matter what you’re looking for in your fishing […]...
Fish & Explore Thaidene Nëné Frontier Lodge. Over 60 years of legendary fishing on the East Arm of Great Slave Lake, at......
Extend your trip to Fort Simpson with a visit to our Dene Camp, K’iyeli. We have options available for an......
“Like No Other Place On Earth” We are the only fly-in lodge located a 50 minute float plane flight from......
Tukto Lodge has been exceeding anglers’ expectations for more than fifty years. As the only fishing and eco-tourism lodge in......
Great Slave Lake Lodge combines trophy lake trout, arctic grayling, and northern pike fishing with one of the best opportunities......
Great Bear Lake Lodge is located on the Dease Arm of Great Bear Lake and is home to the biggest......
Northern and Remote Wilderness Adventures Ltd. (NARWAL) is a small, friendly, majority Aboriginal owned and operated family business. Our reputation......
One of the finest Pike and Lake Trout waters in North America, on the 60th Parallel. Enjoy luxurious private cabins......
“Unforgettable remote fishing experience” We are the only lodge located on this fly-in only lake. With only 8 guests per......
Trophy Lodge is a fishing lodge located on the Smith Arm of Great Bear Lake. We are famous for our......
Yellow Dog Lodge is a comfortable lodge with 3 private cabins for our guests. The lodge is a short (15 minute) floatplane ride from Yellowknife. Located on Duncan and Graham Lakes, the lodge is your hub for adventure. Choose from an additional 5 lakes for guided day trip excursions. Each lake is unique and offers unspoiled first class fishing. We are the only lodge that operates guided trips on each of these remote lakes located in the NWT taiga wilderness. Packaged trips feature superb sport fishing and safe outdoor adventure. The lakes and streams offer the finest Lake Trout, Northern Pike, Walleye and Arctic Grayling in the region. As an added bonus, our guests will enjoy the midnight sun and may even catch the northern lights later in the fall or early spring....
2 Seasons Adventures is a family-owned company. Our professional guides boast a lifetime of experience enjoying the unique lifestyle of......
Peterson’s Point Lake Lodge provides you access to known waters teeming with monster lake trout. Their current record is a......
Fishing Charter based in Yellowknife offering specialized in Giant Northern Pike and Lake Trout. We have boats to operate either in the North and East arm....
Create your own story. We offer a variety of services to make your Sahtu adventure a reality! We offer everything from......
Book this entire cabin in the remote wilderness of the stunningly breath-taking, Mackenzie Mountains. This cabin is hands down the......
Our goal is to provide unique customized services for high-end customers. We excel at making personalized tours. You can see......
Join us for a fishing trip of a lifetime in the barrenlands of Northern Canada. Experience some of the world’s......
Exceptional fishing on Gordon Lake, 100 km northeast of Yellowknife. Fish for Lake Trout, up to to 56 lbs! Fly in by......
Pehdzeh Ki First Nation is located in the community of Wrigley, Northwest Territories, Canada. We are a Designated Authority in......
Northstar Resort is a remote fishing lodge located on Thekulthili Lake, 95 miles (152 km) northeast of Fort Smith. Operates from......
Boat tours in the wildlife-rich Slave River delta and fishing at Taltson Big Pike Lodge....
Ena Lake Lodge is a one-of-a-kind, all-inclusive luxury fishing and outdoors experience in Northern Canada. Come and experience authentic fly-in......
Welcoming and friendly with a rustic charm and all modern conveniences, Grey Goose Lodge immediately catches your eye as you......
For 35 years, Sambaa K’e has offered world-class fishing on Trout Lake just north of the Northwest Territories-British Columbia border.......
Chuck Gruben is an active Inuvialuit hunter and trapper very knowledgeable in the Tuktoyaktuk area offering customized tours (hunting, hiking,......
To truly experience the Northwest Territories, take your camping gear for a highway driving adventure! Long ribbons of road without......
Fish for Trophy Lake Trout and Arctic Grayling at our all-inclusive lodge located in East Arm, Great Slave Lake. Fly......
Beaufort Sea Adventures is a family-owned and Indigenous-operated business, proudly offering Arctic experiences in Tuktoyaktuk. Our family lives and breathes the North, giving us a unique insight into the hidden gems that make Tuktoyaktuk truly special. We offer guests an authentic cultural immersion, sharing our Inuvialuit heritage, stories, and deep connection to the land and […]...
Born & raised in Inuvik, Northwest Territories our experienced lead guide Jimmy Kalinek is ready to help you discover the......
Outfitter offering sport hunts for trophy Dall’s sheep, Alaska/Yukon Moose, Mountain Caribou. We ensure that every detail of the hunt......
Call us about our exciting year-round packages and experience the best of the Dehcho region and Denendeh....
Boat tours of the Mackenzie River Delta from Inuvik to Aklavik, Red Mountain and Husky Channel. Contact us for more......
Summer and winter packages on the Taltson River. Drive out by snowmobile from Fort Resolution or fly out from Fort......
We offer: Nature and wildlife viewing Snowmobile tours Fishing tours Boat tours Polar bear and muskox hunts. Contact us for......
Outstanding fly-in fishing for northern pike and lake trout. Approximately 75 minutes NE of Fort Smith on Thekulthili Lakes....
We run a small all-inclusive lodge that can handle ten people at a time. From this lodge we organize hunting......
Family owned and operated tour company specializing in Arctic expedition cruising....
We offer the following: Boat & Fishing tours Community & Cultural tours Dog sled tours Snowmobile / ATV tours Polar......